Baked Reuben Sandwich

2 cups Original Bisquick mix
1 cup milk
1 egg
1/2 lb sliced deli corned beef
1/4 cup deli-style mustard
3/4 cup shredded Swiss cheese
1 can (14oz.) sauerkraut, well drained
1/2 cup Thousand Island dressing

Heat oven to 400 degrees.  Spray an 8-inch (2 quart) baking dish with cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, stir Bisquick mix, milk, egg with fork until well blended.  Spread 1 cup batter in baking dish.

Brush corned beef slices with mustard, layer on top of batter in baking dish.  Top evenly with cheese and sauerkraut.  Carefully spread remaining batter over sauerkraut.

Bake uncovered 28-32 minutes or until light golden brown and center is set.  Let stand 5 minutes before cutting.  Serve with Thousand Island dressing.

Sesame Baked Chicken

(2 1/2 lb.) chicken, cut into serving-size pieces
2/3 c. evaporated milk
6 tsp. Worcestershire sauce, divided
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. garlic salt
1/8 tsp. hot pepper sauce
3/4 c. cornflake crumbs
1/4 c. sesame seed
2 tbsp. butter

Place chicken in tight fitting bowl or plastic bag. Combine evaporated milk with 5 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce, salt, garlic and hot pepper sauce; mix well. Pour over chicken. Cover. Marinate 2 hours or longer. Combine crumbs with sesame seed. Roll chicken in crumb mixture, coating well.

Arrange chicken in a shallow baking pan, skin side up. Melt butter; stir in remaining teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce. Dribble over chicken. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until tender. Serve with lemon wedges, if desired, or sprinkle with lemon juice. Makes 3 to 4 servings.

Biscuits!

Ok, don't laugh people...  I swear this is the first time I made biscuits!  

Yes, Ive made easy biscuits with Bisquick, etc... but these little darlings are from scratch!!

YUM:)  

Pizza Fundue

1 cup spaghetti sauce
6 oz. Velvetta cheese, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
2 tbsp 100% grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups cut-up vegetables (celery, carrots, cauliflower and red peppers)
4 slices Italian bread (1 inch thick), cut into 1 inch cubes

Heat spaghetti sauce in a microwaveable bowl; covered with a paper towel.. on high for 1 min.
Stir in Velvetta and Parmesan cheese.  Microwave 2 1/2 min. or until Velvetta is completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring after each minute.
Serve with vegetables and bread cubes.

You can serve with a variety of other dippers: cherry tomatoes, button mushrooms, sliced zucchini, broccoli florets, breadsticks, cooked chicken, and ham chunks.  Cooked tortellini is my favorite!

Mud Pie

3/4 cup crushed Nilla wafers

1/2 cup finely chopped pecans

2 Tbsp. butter, melted

1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup powdered sugar

1 1/2 cups thawed Cool Whip whipped topping, divided

1 3/4 cups cold milk
1 pkg. (4serving size) Jell-O Chocolate flavored instant pudding & pie filling

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Mix wafer crumbs, pecans and butter; press firmly onto bottom and up side of a 9-inch pie plate.  Bake 10 min;cool.

Beat cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended.  Gently stir in 1 cup of the whipped topping; spread over crust.  Pour milk into medium bowl.  Add dry pudding mix.  beat with wire whisk 2 min. or until well blended.  Spoon over cream cheese layer.

Refrigerate several hours or until set.  Top with remaining 1/2 cup whipped topping just before serving.  Store leftovers in refrigerator.

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Last summer we moved into a new home, and during the unpacking and cleaning I had a moment when I just wanted to sit down and cry.  At that very moment the doorbell rang and when I opened the door I literally cried.  Standing there was the sweetest looking lady holding a huge edible arrangement bouquet.  The edible arrangement was sent by one of my husband's co-workers and her husband.  Wow, what a treat!  It was exactly what we needed.  It was perfect!  In the arrangement were pineapples cut like flowers, honey dew melon, watermelon, grapes, and chocolate covered strawberries!  

My daughter enjoying the edible arrangement!

A couple of days ago my daughter asked if we could make Chocolate Covered Strawberries.. So last night after dinner we got busy! 

Toll house chocolate chips, any kind is fine!  We chose semi- sweet chocolate!  Next time we might try white chocolate!  We found some beautiful strawberries!

No fancy candy melting device here!!  A medium stock pot filled 1/4 of the way with water, bring to a boil.. Place glass bowl on top, pour in chocolate chips with 1 teaspoon butter flavored shortening ( like Crisco)  I think it makes the chocolate shiny.. That is just my personal experience, I actually have no idea what the technical cooking term is... LOL Watching this close, stir with a spatula until all the chips are melted. 

*I like to use mini-chips for melting*

When all chips are melted carefully hold strawberry by the tops/leaves and dip in the chocolate..shaking any extra chocolate off gently, then place them on waxed paper... In the frig until the chocolate is hard (15-30 min) * If you can wait that long* 

  Some of the strawberries I used special fruit picks..  These really work & hold the fruit in place so it doesn't slip.  The picks worked very well.  We just reused them for the other berries.  The picks are plastic, you can hand wash and use again! Here is a picture of a few that I dipped using the plastic pick/sticks.

 And the finished strawberries.  They aren't perfect, but they were yummy!  My daughter was thrilled!!  She ate 6, one after the other!

I also covered the whole berry with chocolate..  I am sure covering them half way might look nicer, but not for a 4 yr. old who loves chocolate.

I couldn't resist, I ate two!  They were the best thing I've had to eat in over a month!  I could have devoured the entire plate!

My daughter's bday party is coming up, I am going to make some white chocolate covered berries and decorate them!  Be sure to look for pictures of the "Mermaid" party!!! 

Potato cakes- Roasted Potatoes

The other morning my daughter asked me to make "potato cakes".... Which meant hash-browns, or what some people call "fried potatoes"...  Now that I am trying to eat healthy and prepare healthy meals for my family, I had to come up with a way to make her "potato cakes"...  There are two ways I like to make potatoes.. and I know my 4 year old will enjoy!
One way is to wash baking potatoes (I prefer Yukon Gold potatoes), wash them, poke holes in them with a knife or fork, and cook them in the microwave (about 80 % cooked)..  Careful, they will be hot!  Take them out cut them down the center, and down the center of both halves, and then into cubes.  Place these on a baking dish that has been sprayed with Butter Flavored Pam. Sprinkle salt and pepper, and spray again (tops) with Pam. Bake @ 400 degrees for 20 min.  They are wonderful!  Pam has zero fat!


Another way is to wash and peel potatoes, grate and squeeze out water..  In a mixing bowl combine 1/3 cup egg beaters and one tablespoon self rising flour.. beat with a wire whisk.. Add grated potatoes, and stir. 

Warm a large saute pan on med-high..  spray with butter flavored pam, add tablespoon of potatoes in pan, and flatten down.  Cook until brown on both sides.  (These are better cooked in vegetable oil, I am just watching fat grams)